FG registers two new university unions, ASUU reacts

The Federal Government, in apparent step to break the ranks of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which has been on an eight-month-old strike, on Tuesday formally announced the registration of two unions in the university system.

The unions are the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) and the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA).

The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, explained that the two bodies will exist alongside ASUU.

He further stated that the two associations will enjoy the rights and privileges accorded to other academic unions in the tertiary education system.

ASUU has been on strike since February 14.

In August, the union declared a “total and indefinite” extension of its industrial action, noting that the government has failed to satisfactorily meets its demands.

The academics are seeking improved welfare, revitalisation of public universities and academic autonomy among other demands.

But the Federal Government has maintained it does not have the financial capability to meet the ASUU demands.

Meanwhile, ASUU has described the registration of NAMDA and CONUA as inconsequential, saying they do not pose any threat to its existence.

READ: ASUU Strike: Pro-Chancellors beg Buhari to increase salaries, rescind ‘No-work, No-pay’

The National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, stated this in a chat with the media while reacting to the registration of the two new unions.

“That does not in any way affect us. We are a disciplined and focused union and we know what we are doing and what we are after. Let them register as many unions as they like. That is inconsequential as far as we are concerned. We are not also in any way threatened. The sky is big enough for birds to fly.

“We know our members; we know our strength and we also know what our vision and mission are. Our members are not saboteurs or bootlickers. Our struggle is for a better educational system in the country. If the system is good, all of us will benefit and it is not only ASUU members’ children and wards that are going to benefit from improved funding and the provision of better facilities in our institutions,” he said.

However, CONUA has described its registration as monumental and historic, in a statement signed by the group’s National Coordinator, Dr Niyi Sunmonu.

“The registration of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), as a trade union in the Nigerian university system, is monumentally historic. The hurdles we have faced to get here, since 2018 when we submitted our application for registration, have been seemingly insurmountable.

“The registration is therefore the validation of the power of the human will. It asserts the value of courage, initiative, focus, tenacity, patience, forbearance and persistent positive thinking,” Sunmonu, a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, said.